R alden



c. R. ALDEN Re. 25,021

DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH EXTENSIBLE POURING. SPOUT Aug. 8, 1961Original Fi led Jan. 13, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor CARROLL R ALDEN12w 34., and" Allg' 1961 c. R. ALDEN Re. 25,021 DISPENSING CONTAINERWITH EXTENSIBLE' POURING SPOUT Original Filed Jan. is, 1953 sSheets-Sheet 2 Inventor CARROLL R. ALDEN B: 'Qua,

C, R. ALDEN Aug. 8, 1961 DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH EXTENSIBLE POURINGSPOUT Original Filed Jan. 13, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 r mm H 0 8L A R L LO R R A C kw 4.4, 45., M4. m

Aug. 8, 1961 c. R. ALDEN DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH EXTENSIBLE POURINGSPOUT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Jan. 13, 1953 Inventgr CARROLL R.ALDEN [459, My! 1- United States Patent 25,021 DISPENSING CONTAINER WITHEXTENSIBLE POURING SPOUT Carroll R. Alden, Ada, Ohio, assignor toEx-Cell-O Con poration, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of MichiganOriginal No. 2,750,095, dated June 12, 1956, Ser. No.

331,021, Ian. 13, 1953. Application for reissue Jan.

16, 1957, Ser. No. 634,597

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-17) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention pertains in general to packaging and, morespecifically, to a gable topped container of the general type disclosedin U.S. Patent No. 2,025,477, issued December 24, 1935, to Henry T.Scott, in copending application of Carroll R. Alden, Serial No. 139,628,filed Janu'ay 20, 1950, now Patent No. 2,751 ,137, and in copendingapplications of Herbert M. Kieckhefer, Serial No. 331,666, filed January16, 1953, now Patent No. 2,987,234, and Edwin P. Cox et al., Serial No.333,- 134, filed January 26, 1953, now abandoned.

The invention finds particular, but by no means exclusive, utility indisposable containers adapted for distribution of milk and other dairyPIOducts.

A container of the foregoing character is customarily erected from aflat blank of sheet stock which has been impressed with an appropriatepattern of score lines, the latter defining a plurality of side panelstogether with corresponding upper and lower panel extension flaps .orclosure members. The usual procedure in setting up such a container isto form the blank into a polygonal tube open at both ends and then toclose the lower or bottom panel extensions, retaining them in placebymeans of a suitable adhesive. The exposed surfaces of the containermay then be coated or impregnated with a leakproof film by immersion ina paraflin bath, for -ex ample. Following this operation, the containermay be filled with the particular product to be contained therein andthe top sealed.

In general, it is the aim of the present invention to provide acontainer of the type just, recited and having M I'P rated into its topend closure an extensible, sanitarily protected pouring spout which maybe opened easily for precise, dripless dispensing of the contents of thecontainer.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a gabletopped container of the character set forth above and wherein thepouring spout is of pitcherlike form and rendered accessible as a resultof partial disintegration or disassembly of the top end closure byapplication of fingertip forces only, there being no necessity for theuse of a knife or other implement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gable topped containerof the type just specified and wherein the. top closure includes anarrangement for enabling the user to manipulate the pouring spout bothinto extended or operative position and into reclosed position withexceptional ease and facility, yet possessing sufficient strength topermit normal handling of the container prior to and after initialopening by the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a blank susceptibleof being formed into a container of the character set forth above.

Other objects and advantageous features will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the upper portion ofan illustrative container embodying the present invention.

Reissued Aug. 8, 1961v view through the central rib structure of thecontainer,

taken in the plane of the line 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the front face of the extensiblepouring spout as it passes through dead center.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectionalviews taken through the pouring spout approximately in the plane of theline 10-10 in FIG. 9 and showing sequentially certain steps inmanipulating the spout from its inactive to its active position.

FIG. 13 is a plan view detailing the inside face of a flat blank fromwhich the illustrative container of FIGS. 1 to 12 may be constructed.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are fragmentary front and rear elevations showing theupper portion of a modified form of container also illustrativelyembodying the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the, upper portion ofthe modified container of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a severable reinforcing strip used with themodified container.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary plan view detailing the upper portion of theinside face of a flat blank from which the modified form of container ofFIGS. 14 to 16 may be constructed.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments have beenshown in the drawings, and will be described below in considerabledetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but, on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claim.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1 to 12, there is shown anexemplary container 20 embodying the present invention. The container 20is formed from paper or other suitable sheet material and isself-sustaining in shape, being coated or impregnated with a suitablesubstance to render it fluid tight and capable of holding liquids suchas milk. The container 20 comprises a tubular body 21 which, in thepresent instance, happens to be of substantially square cross section.At its base, the body 21 is provided with a suitable bottom closure (notshown), the details of which are of no immediate concern here. The upperend of the body 21 terminates in what will be recognized as the familiargable top end closure 22 which is surmounted by a central laminar rib ortruss 24. The top end closure 22 has incorporated therein a novelarrangement for dispensing the contents of the container.

Preferably, the container 20 is fashioned from a flat blank 25 of heavypaper stock or other suitable sheet material, the inside face of suchblank being illustrated in FIG. 13. By means of an appropriate patternof score lines, the blank 25 is divided into a plurality of panels andareas which are utilized for the walls of the container and the closure.parts when the container is erected.

The central and major area of the blank 25 becomes the body 21 of thecontainer and is defined by spaced apart transverse score lines 26, 28running in substantially parallel relation across the face of the blank.In-

tersecting the lines 26, 28 at spaced intervals therealong are a seriesof perpendicular score lines 29, 30, 31 and 32 which define, in thecentral and major area of the blank, side panels 34, 35, 36 and 37,together with a fractional side panel or glue flap 38. When thecontainer is erected, the latter is adhesively secured in overlyingrelation with the inside face of the side panel 34. Connected to thelower edges of the side panels along the lower transverse score line 28are a plurality of panel extensions or bottom closure flaps 39, 40, 41and 42 which may be of well-known form.

Integral with the upper ends of the side panels but separated therefromby the transverse score line 26 are a plurality of panel extensionswhich give the top of the container 10 its characteristic gable shape.These areas include a transverse score line 44 generally parallel to thescore line 26 and spaced between the latter and the top edge of theblank 25. The areas below the line 44 define the roof panels and endpanels of the top closure 22, while the areas above the line 44 definethe parts of the central laminar rib 24.

Accordingly, alternate side panels 34, 36 have respectively connectedtherewith inclined roof panels 45, 46, The latter, in turn, areconnected with outer rib panels 48, 49 terminating, respectively, intuck-in flap 50 and fold-over flap 51. Similarly, alternate side panels35, 37 have connected therewith along the transverse score line 26triangular end panels 52 and 54. The end panel 52 is flanked bytriangular fold-back panels 55, 56 connected along converging scorelines 58, 59 which start at the intersections between the corner scorelines 29, 30 and the transverse score line 26, converging upwardly andintersecting at the transverse score line 44. Inner rib panels 60, 61are connected to the panels 55 and 56 along the score line 44 and areconnected to each other along short vertical score line 62 which runsfrom the apex of the end panel 52 to the top edge of the blank. By thesame token, the end panel 54 is flanked by foldback panels 64, 65connected along converging score lines 66, 68.- Fold-back panels 64, 65are connected to inner rib panels 69, 70 along the score line 44, thepanels 69, 70 being connected with each other along score line 71. I Theglue flap 38 also has panel extensions 72, 74 integral therewith. Whenthe container 20 is erected, the extensions 72, 74 respectively overliethe marginal edge portions of the inside faces of the roof panel 45 andthe rib panel 48.

To transform the blank 25 into the completed container 20 illustrated inFIG. 1, the blank is first folded upon itself to form a flat tube andthe glue flap 38, together with its extensions 72, 74, is adhesivelysecured to the inside faces of the panels 34, 45 and 48 adjacent theleft marginal edges thereof. The flat tube is then erected into one ofsquare cross section and the bottom closure is completed. If notmoistureproofed earlier, the open container is coated or impregnated, asby dipping in a parafiin bath. The container is then filled and its topclosure parts are infolded into gable-like form. During the course ofsuch action, the tuck-in flap 50 is tucked between the infolded ribpanels 61, 69 and 49, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, reinforcing the rib 24.By the same token, the flap 51 is folded down against the outer face ofthe rib panel 48. The rib parts are then sealed in closed position bythe application of heat and pressure against the outside faces of therib 24. This structure may be further reinforced, as by means of astaple 75 or by a high strength thermoplastic adhesive.

As shown particularly in FIGS. and 6, an extensible, sanitan'lyprotected pouring spout 76 of pitcher-like form is incorporated into thetop closure of the container 20 and rendered accessible as a result ofpartial disintegration or, in other words, partial disassembly, of thecentral laminar rib 24. This is accomplished in large measure by takingadvantage of the angular arrangement of score lines defining thetriangular end panels and foldback panels of the top closure. Thepouring spout 76 accordingly comprises the triangular end panel 54,triangular fold-back panels 64, 65, rib panels 69, 70, adjacent portionsof rib panels 48, 49, and adjacent portions of inclined roof panels 45,46 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). The rib panels 69, 70 provide the spout 76 with afree upper edge 78 which is traversed by the fluid poured from thecontainer 20. This edge affords excellent pouring and cut-offcharacteristics. Moreover, the pouring edge 78 and its adjacent marginalareas remain sealed within the structure of the laminar top rib 24 andhence are subject to complete sanitary protection up to the time thecontainer 20 is opened by the user.

In order to make the pouring spout 76 easily accessible to the user andyet maintain adequate strength and sanitary protection in the top endclosure, the laminar rib 24 is divided longitudinally into a fixedportion and a disintegrable portion, the fixed portion having the staple75 or an equivalent permanent adhesive juncture. As shown in FIG. 13,the rib panel 48 has a transverse tear line 79 starting at the left edgeof the blank 25 and extending about halfway along the fold line of thetuck-in flap 50. In addition, the rib panel 49 has a relatively shorttear line 80 which extends from the approximate center of the panel 49upwardly to the top edge of the blank, bisecting the fold-over flap 51.In this instance, the tear lines 79, 80 happen to be defined byperforations but it will be appreciated that these lines may be definedby other equivalent expedients.

With the container 20 in the unopened condition illustrated in FIG. 1,the first step in opening the same is to pull upwardly on unstapledportion 51A of the foldover flap 51. The portion 51A separates from thestapled portion along the tear line 80 and, when fully raised as shownin FIG. 2, exposes the tear line 79 between the tuck-in flap 50 and theremainder of the rib panel 48. By gripping the fold-back panel 65 andthe overlying portion of the roof panel 45 with the thumb and forefingerof one hand, and gripping the fold-back panel 64 and the overlyingportion of the roof panel 46 with the thumb and forefinger of the otherhand, and pushing in opposite directions with both thumbs, these twosets of panels or wings can be caused to separate progressively alongthe tear line 79, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Means is provided in the container 20 for positively effectingdistention of the pouring spout 76 as an incident to folding back of itscomponents panels or wings. This is accomplished by the use of a noveltoggle-like arrangement for hinging the wings or panel sets defining thespout 76, such arrangement being adapted to shift the spout 76 fromcollapsed to extended condition with a definite snap action. Referringonce more to FIG. '13, it be noted that the roof panel 46 and the ribpanel 49 are impressed with'a preformed angular score line 81 startingat the intersection ofthe score lines 26, 31, 66 and terminating at thelower end of the tear line 80 at the center of the rib panel 49. Theline 81 makes a somewhat smaller angle with the corner score line 31than the line 66. Consequently, the line 81 defines in the roof panel 46a triangular subpanel 82 and defines in the rib panel 49 a trapezoidalsubpanel 84, both having a substantially shorter common dimension alongthe score line 44 than the spout panels 64, 69. The roof panel 45 andthe rib panel 48 are impressed with a preformed angular score line 85similar to the score line 81 but in this instance starting in the roofpanel 45 at the inner edge of the glue flap area and terminating at theinner end of the tear line 79 at the center of the rib panel 48. Theline 85 defines in the rib panel 48 a trapezoidal subpanel 86 and,together with an alined slit 88 in the glue flap, defines a triangularsubpanel 89. Both the subpanels 86 and 89 have a substantially shortercommon dimension along the score line 44 than the spout panels 65, 70.In the unopened container, as indicated in FIG. 10, the angular scorelines 81, 85 are situated outwardly in spaced relation to the fold lines66, 68 which respectively join adjacent fold-back panels 64, 65 totriangular end panel 54.

By reason of their inherent stiffness, the pouring spout panels andsubpanels 65, 70, 89 and 86, which comprise the left-hand wing as viewedin FIGS. 3 to 6, hinge as a unit about the score line 85 when subjectedto outward thumb pressure. In like manner, the pouring spout panels andsubp'anels 64, 69, 82 and 84, which comprise the righthand wing, hingeas a unit about the score line 81 when subjected to outward thumbpressure. With the pouring spout 76 in the completely collapsedcondition as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 10, the hinge score lines 81, 85simply lie in the' respective planes of their associated inclined roofpanels 45, 46 and rib panels 48, 49. As the spout wings.

are subjected to increased opposed thumb pressures and progressivelyincreasing angular movement, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 11, the hingescore lines 81, 85 tend to straighten out and occupy a common plane.This is due in part to the natural tendency of paper and other sheetstock to fold along a straight line. Moreover, the toggle action betweenthe panels 54, 64, 65, 69, 70 and their hinge lines 81, 85 springs theroof panels 45, 46 and the rib panels 48, 49 outwardly and subjectspanels 54, 64, 65, 69 and 70 to considerable compression. By the timethese members have passed from the position of FIGS. 4 and 11 to thedead center position of FIG. 9, this compression reaches a maximum andactually bows such members slightly as shown in FIG. 4. This is due tothe fact that the roof panels 45, 46 and the rib panels 48, 49 in theregion of the hinge lines 81, 85 have undergone maximum deformation orspring, their approximate initial position being indicated in dot-dashoutline in FIG. 9. Substantially as the spout passes through deadcenter, the common plane of the now straightened hinge score lines 81,85 is situated outboard from the plane initially occupied by thetriangular end panel 54 and each line 81, 85 acts as a fulcrum havingpivotal engagement with an associated one of the fold-back panels 64,65. The net effect of such relationship is that, once brought near deadcenter position, the pouring spout 76 snaps quickly and positivelythrough dead center to an extended position upon application ofextremely light finger tip forces. With the spout 76 in the conditionshown in FIG. 12, a slight inward squeeze applied at its lateral edgeswill distend the spout into its fully extended, operative position.Pouring may then be initiated by inclining the container 20 to thedesired angle, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Collapse of the pouring spout 76 and reclosure of the container 20 maybe effected with ease and facility. The user need only press lightly onthe spout panel 54 until the spout snaps through dead center towardcollapsed position. The back-folding manipulations of the wings shouldthen be reversed and the fiap 51A downfolded to protect and retain themembers 69, 70, 82 and 86 together.

Turning now to FIGS. 14 to 18, inclusive, there is shown a slightlymodified form of the invention embodied in an illustrative container 20Aand a blank 25A for such container. In view of the fact that most of theelements of the container and blank 20A, 25A are substantially identicalwith those of the container and blank 20, 25 described earlier herein,like reference numerals have been used to designate elements common toboth embodiments of the invention. 'In view of the fact that mostelements are common to both embodiments of the invention, a detaileddescription of the container 20A and blank 25A would be superfluous atthis point. Reference will be had, therefore, simply to thedistinguishing features of the container 20A and its blank 25A.

As indicated in FIG. 16, one distinguishing feature of the container 20Ais the fact that liftable portion 90 of the fold-over flap 51 is madecompletely severable from the top rib 24. This enhances convenient usageof the pouring spout since the portion sometimes. tends to obstruct theusers view of the receptacle into which: the pouring spout isdischarging the contents of the container. To accomplish the foregoingobjective with a minimum sacrifice of strength in the disintegrableportion of the top rib 24 prior to initial opening of the container, therib. panel 49 has a tear line 91 (FIGS. '14 and 18) extending from theupper left-hand corner of the rib panel 69 leftwardly and downwardly toa point below the center of the rib panel 49. At this point, the tearline 91 intersects central tear line 92 which runs upwardly andterminates at the top edge of the blank, bis'ecting the fold-over flap51.

As in the case of the container 20, the non-disintegrable portion of thetop rib 24 in the container 20A may be rigidly secured together by meansof the staple 75- or by an appropriate permanent adhesive juncture.However, the disintegrable portion of the rib 24 may conveniently bestrengthened as by means of a reinforcing strip 94 adhesively secured tothe exposed outer faces of the flap portion 90 and the rib panel 49. Thereinforcing strip 94 may be in the nature of a piece of removabIecellulose acetate tape or, on the other hand, may be secured in placewith a more permanent adhesive juncture and provided with a central tearor perforation line 95 severable by the user as he opens the container.

It will he noted by those skilled in the art that there has beenprovided a container which eminently fulfills the objectives set forthearlier herein. The container is easy to open and reclose by theapplication of light finger pressures, and the pouring spout is readilyaccessible to the user but sanitarily protected up to the time thecontainer is opened. Although some of parts of the top closure aredeliberately weakened to facilitate opening, the top closure possessesample mechanical strength and fluidtight integrity to precludeaccidental opening or leakage during handling or transit prior toinitial opening by the user.

I claim as my invention:

A gable top container of paperboard or the like and comprising, incombination, a tubular body having a bottom closure thereon, a pair ofopposed roof panels inclined toward each other and overlying said body,a pair of opposed triangular end panels in-folded between said roofpanels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, two pairs oftriangular fold-back panels each pair of which is integral with arespective one of said in-folded triangular end panels along fold lineswhich are substantially in contact with said roof panels, said fold-backpanels being folded against the undersides of said roof panels, aplurality of inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels andsaid triangular end and fold-back panels, a tuck-in flap connected alonga folding line to one of said outer rib panels and folded ininterlocking sandwiched relation between another one of said outer ribpanels and said inner rib panels, a fold-over flap connected to saidother outer rib panel and folded in overlying relation with the outsideface of said one outer rib panel, said rib panels and said tuck-in andfold-over flaps together defining a central laminar top rib dividedlongitudinally into a fixed portion and a movable portion, meansimmovably secured to said fixed portion for retaining the same intact,means defining a perforation line between said tuck-in flap and said oneouter rib panel extending longitudinally of said rib from one endthereof to a terminal point at the central portion of the some, meansdefining a perforation line in said fold-over flap extending from thedepending edge of said fold-over flap to a terminal point at the topcentral portion of said rib coinciding substantially with the terminalpoint of said perforation line of said tuck-in flap, a sanitarilyprotected extensible pouring spout housed in collapsed condition withinsaid container and defined in part by one of said triangular end panelsand an adjacent pair of said foldr 7 back panels and an adjacent pair ofsaid inner rib panels, said spout also being defined by adjacentportions of said roof panels and outer rib panels, said spout having adead center position representing a transition between its collapsedcondition and its extended condition, and means for positively snappingsaid pouring spout with a togglelike action in either direction throughsaid dead center position between its collapsed condition and itsextended condition, said means comprising preformed angular score linesin said roof panels flanking said spout and extending from terminalpoints adjacent the lower outer edges of said roof panels to a commonterminal point at the top center of said rib coinciding substantiallywith the common terminal point of said perforation lines of said tuckinflap and said fold-over flap, said angular score lines being situatedoutwardly in spaced relation to said fold lines joining said adjacentpair of said fold-back panels and said one of said triangular end panelsso as to lie in a common plane as said spout is opened and substantiallyas it passes through dead center, the common plane being situatedsubstantially outboard from the plane initially occupied by said onetriangular end panel, each said angular score line in said common planedefining a. fulcrum disposed in pivotal engagement with an associatedone of said fold-back panels of said spout.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,462 Van Wormer Oct. 19, 1915 2,198,119Krengel Apr. 23, 1940 2,241,836 Wentz May 13, 1941 2,300,703 Ray Nov. 3,1942 2,321,139 Gruger June 8, 1943 2,329,797 Strack Sept. 21, 19432,336,503 Ringler Dec. 14, 1943 2,362,862 Sidebotham Nov. 14, 19442,634,896 Groveno Apr. 414, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 186,983 SwitzerlandOct. 15, 1936 95,342 Sweden Apr. 5, 1939 395,645 Canada Apr. 1, 19411,008,984 France Feb. 27, 1952

